Update of the Kansas Nutrition Project M. J. Mosher, PhD Dept of Anthropology University of Kansas
Kansas Nutrition Project 2003-2004 Study of the relationship between nutrition, genetics, wellness and disease Funding by State of Kansas Attorney General s Settlement Fund Participating population of four Kansan Mennonite Churches, many of whom participated in the 1980 studies sponsored by the University of Kansas Purpose of this presentation today is to explore the possibility of extending this study to the Nebraskan Mennonite populations
Nutrition Nutrition is a primary environmental factor influencing our health, with its affects beginning before we are born and continuing throughout our lifetime Dietary manipulation remains an integral part of the healing arts -- a first line of defense against many chronic diseases
However Recommendations for dietary changes may be made arbitrarily, without understanding of individual and population susceptibility or potential side effects Research in the area of human nutrition is very difficult to complete AND Results are often confusing and conflicting
Guidelines keep changing
Current Food Pyramid One size does NOT fit all Despite the ability to personalize current recommendations, this pyramid is done without understanding of individual genetic makeup and disease susceptibility
Nature and Nurture Genes and environment Genes influence: nutrient absorption nutrient metabolism taste perception satiation fullness Nutrients influence: gene expression Nutrigenetics: the study of geneby- nutrient interaction Nutrients Life cycle Genes
Purpose of our study To profile the dietary habits of Kansas farming communities To examine the relationship of these dietary habits with prevalence of chronic disease To identify genes and dietary habits that affect the prevalence of dyslipidemia in this population
Participants of the well-defined community Located in Goessel and Meridian in central Kansas 1) unique immigrant history 2) extensive written genealogy 3) complex, extended families providing numerous family relationships to study heritability and linkage 4) genetic, environmentally, and culturally homogenous population thought to decrease background noise when studying genetic effects
Unique Community 1) Active rural and agricultural lifestyle 2) Close social support system 3) No smoking 4) No drinking 5) Above average life expectancy 6) Cardiovascular diseases leading cause of morbidity and mortality
Data Collection Genealogies: to determine the genetic components Anthropometrics: skinfolds, height, weight Serum lipids, fasting insulin, leptin, adiponectin Genotyping: APOE, B, A-1, C-3 and LPL (RFLPs) Medical histories Nutritional profiles: 3-24hour intake diaries food frequency -- 11 categories, 90 foods Activity pattern: 3-24 hour non consecutive records
Nutritional Profiles Food Diaries 3-24-hour records non-consecutive days of EVERYTHING to eat or drink estimated amounts recipe, brand names daily exercise records Give short-term, in-depth picture of food patterns Food Frequencies listing of the daily and weekly amounts eaten of specific food groups May include questions as to how this differs from 20 years ago Gives a long-term overview of food pattern
Determination of nutritional profiles Dietary data from food diaries are entered into NutriBase Software Nutritional profiles are compiled and compared to current recommended (RDA) guidelines Nutritional status is furnished to participants
Participants Total Participants Males 97 (ages 20-86, u=51 ) (BMI 18-40, u=26.7) Females 105 (ages 16-90, u=56) (BMI 17-39, u =25.2) 206 total Responses dietary information Males 76 (78%) (age 22-86) (BMI 21-40) Females 84 (80%) (ages 22-90) (BMI 17-36) 160 dietary profiles 78% response
Percent of macronutrients in diet 60 50 40 30 20 %Protein %Fat %Carb 10 0 M Fe Rec Essentially no difference between males and females in KNP
Cholesterol and Fat intake 46% of males and 73% of females report cholesterol intake below recommended 300mg/ day. No statistical differences between males and females in % fatty acid intake. Both are higher in Saturated Fatty Acid intake (SFA) Recommended 10%SFA,10%MUFA, 8% PUFA
Omega 6-3 Ratio Omega-6 and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty acids are both ESSENTIAL (EFAs) Our bodies cannot synthesize them These two fatty acids are precursors to hormones which produce opposing functions in inflammation responses, blood clotting, vascular constriction and pain response Serve to check and balance in homeostasis The recommended ratio is 4 to 1 US diet ranges from 14-1 to 24-1 KNP findings males 13-1 and females 12-1
There is a difference Some evidence that male and female response to carbohydrate intake and plant sterols may differ in its effects on cholesterol levels HDL
Some evidence in the Kansas group of specific differences between the sexes in the relationship of genotype to plasma cholesterol subfractions HDL, LDL, and atherogenic profiles Genetics
Nutrition and Telomeres There is evidence of a relationship between nutrition and telomere length. There is also evidence of gender specific effects in this relationship
Application of this research To tailor dietary recommendations directly for individuals Nutrigenetics effectiveness medications
Thank you I would greatly welcome your input and discussion as to the possibility of completing similar studies Nebraska Thank you for this opportunity MJ